Teachers on Call Celebrates Doors Open Hamilton

Are you familiar with Doors Open Ontario? If the answer is no, you need to keep reading. From April to October participating cities across the province will be opening normally closed doors to the public, at no cost at all. The Teachers on Call in-person and online tutoring service are fans of family field trips filled with teachable moments. We love this unique opportunity for students (and the adults who love them) to experience history, culture and architecture in their very own city or a daytrip somewhere new. In this blog, we’re featuring Doors Open Hamilton, taking place the first weekend in May with 38 in-person Doors Open sites and select Digital Doors Open videos available. 

What is Doors Open Ontario?

Hello Ontario! Are you looking for a fun weekend activity filled with adventure and learning. The Ontario Heritage Trust has invited communities across Ontario to open the doors, gates and courtyards of special historical and modern sites which are not normally open to the general public. Given that Teachers on Call in-person and online tutors are also certified teachers, we are big believers in learning for fun and educational field trips. In this blog, we are featuring Doors Open Hamilton which is being hosted on Saturday May 6 to Sunday May 7, 2023. Not to fret if this city is a bit too far in distance, there are also select videos with Digital Doors Open Hamilton!

How to Plan for Doors Open Hamilton

It can be overwhelming with 38 in-person sites available for visitation. The Teachers on Call tutoring service recommends reviewing the list together as a family to map out your weekend plans with the sites you want to visit most. You may try for a target of five buildings per day for in-person trips. It there are other locations you just can’t get to in time, check out which participants are offering Digital Doors Open with virtual experiences showcasing online tours, games and activities.

Complete List of In-Person Sites for Doors Open Hamilton

There are 38 in-person Doors Open Hamilton sites available for viewing and visiting this first weekend in May. If you are planning an excursion with your family, here is a list of all that is open to see, with online options too.

Auchmar Manor House - 88 Fennell Ave W, Hamilton, Ontario L9C 1E7
The Auchmar Estate is a historical landmark built from 1852-1854  as the last surviving country estate on Hamilton Mountain. *Digital Doors Open also available.
 
Battlefield House Museum & Park National Historic Site - 77 King St W, Stoney Creek, Ontario L8G 5E5
Built in 1796, the Battlefield House Museum, was once home to the Gage family. Visit this site to explore the Dunington Grubb landscape (which includes the impressive Battlefield Monument) and hike around a 13.8-hectare (34-acre) patchwork of meadow and forest. *Digital Doors Open available.
 
Brewers Blackbird Kitchen & Brewery - 375 Wilson St E, Ancaster, Ontario L9G 2C1
This heritage building in Ancaster, Ontario is now an upscale brewpub, once owned by painter Frank Panabaker.
 
Carnegie Gallery - 10 King St W, Dundas, Ontario L9H 1T7
The Carnegie Gallery has been serving the community in Dundas, Ontario since 1980 with a not-for-profit gallery and shop.
 
Central Presbyterian Church - 165 Charlton Ave W, Hamilton, Ontario L8P 2C8
The only church designed by John Lyle, known for designing Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre and Union Station.
 
Collective Arts Brewery - 207 Burlington Street East, Hamilton, Ontario L8L 4H2
While the brewery originated in 1947, Collective Arts Brewery began in 2013 and collaborates with local artists to promote their craft beverages.

Collins Brewhouse - 33 King St W, Dundas, Ontario L9H 1T5
The history if this establishment is traced back to 1833 when the Collins family came to Dundas, Ontario. Visit this site to learn more about this historic hotel turned tavern.

The Cotton Factory - 270 Sherman Ave N, Hamilton, Ontario L8L 6N4
In the heart of lower Hamilton, the Cotton Factory is now a creative arts centre.

Dundas Eateries Tour - Meet at 5 Ogilvie Street, Dundas, Ontario L9H 2S1
If you’re a foodie looking to understand culture through cuisine, this walking tour is hosted by local historian, Stan Nowak, with a focus on eateries, hotels, saloons and drinking emporiums — both past and present.

Dundas Music Hall - 102 King Street West, Dundas, Ontario L9H 1T9
Built in 1911, this music hall is no longer in use, but is home to Café Domestique and India Village on the main floor.

Dundurn Castle -  610 York Blvd, Hamilton, Ontario L8R 3E7
Visit this Dundas National Historic Site to learn the story of the MacNabs and the people who served them.

Erland Lee (Museum) Home - 552 Ridge Rd, Stoney Creek, Ontario L8J 2Y6
This National Historic Site tells three stories from the Lee family, the Stoney Creek community, and the Women's Institute.

Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum - 64 Sulphur Springs Rd, Ancaster, Ontario L9G 1L8
This cultural heritage centre has an emphasis on local history and the promotion of fine arts.

Green Venture’s Ecohouse/Glen Manor Estate - 22 Veevers Drive (near Greenhill Avenue and Quigley Road) Hamilton, Ontario L8K 5P5
The EcoHouse property is the last remaining part of the original Glen Manor Estate, which surrounded almost the entire current Davis Creek neighbourhood. Some modern features include the Hamilton Seed Library and a community garden.

Hamilton Eateries Tour - Meet at Queen Victoria's statue in Gore Park (corner of King Street East and James Street North), Hamilton, Ontario
Local historian, Bill King, will lead this 60-minute walking tour along James Street North and King William Street, discussing restaurants in the area, and the Victorian buildings in which they are situated.

Hamilton Filtration Building - 900 Woodward Ave, Hamilton, Ontario L8H 7N2
Take advantage of a unique opportunity to learn about the City of Hamilton's historical and current drinking water system, including the filtration process, through a guided tour of the Learning Centre, Filter Gallery and Control Room. 

Hamilton Military Museum - 610 York Blvd, Hamilton, Ontario L8R 3H1
Located on the site of the Dundurn National Historic Site, this museum preserves and shares the military history of Hamilton and area through programs, events and exhibits.

Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology - 900 Woodward Ave, Hamilton, Ontario L8H 7N2
This museum features two 13.7-metre high (45 feet), 70-ton steam-powered pumping engines, which supplied the city with clean drinking water from 1859 to 1910. The pumping engines were originally made in Dundas, Ontario.

Hamilton Water Environmental Laboratory - 700 Woodward Avenue (use the south gate entrance north of Brampton Street), Hamilton, Ontario
For lab tours, visitors must be at least 10 years old and wear closed-toe shoes.

The Keeping Room - 6 Cross St, Dundas, Ontario L9H 2R4
This cookery shop carries tools for baking breads and desserts as well as accessories including pots, pans, knives and cookie cutters. 

The Kitchen Witch (Glen Campbell Dairy)- 116 King Street West, Dundas, Ontario
This former dairy building was built by Frank C. Biggs, who was the Minister of Highways (1919-23) and named for his farm in Flamborough.
 
The Lister Building - 28 James St N, Hamilton, Ontario L8R 1A1
Join architect-led tours of one of Hamilton’s first multi-purpose buildings, and explore  a Tourism Hamilton presentation inside. Architectural Conservancy Ontario and Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee information stations will also be available inside.
 
McMaster University Campus Architecture Tour - Start at the McMaster Museum of Art on Sterling Street, Hamilton, Ontario
The McMaster Museum of Art has created a self-guided walking tour that highlights architecture on the campus, with information about the history, evolution and styles of architecture along the way. *Digital Doors Open available.
 
Morden's Organic Farm Store - 801 Collinson Rd, Dundas, Ontario L9H 5E2
This Ontario vernacular cottage was built by descendants of the original settlers of Flamborough. The farm continues to provide organic produce and meat in the adjacent market store.

Mystic Ramen - 51 King William St, Hamilton, Ontario L8R 1A2
Chef Noah Woods and wife Heather offer a crafted dining experience with a completely Japanese menu. The location is in a simple Victorian building that still maintains the original Hamilton brick and the first-floor cornice with dentils.

Nellie James - 144 King St W, Dundas, Ontario L9H 1V2
This food-to-go experience and catering service is known by gourmets and foodies.

Picone Fine Food -  34 King St W, Dundas, Ontario L9H 1T7
Originally opened in 1915, Picone Fine Food is the longest-running family-owned and -operated grocery store in Ontario, Canada.

Quatrefoil - 16 Sydenham St, Dundas, Ontario L9H 2T4
The John Cowper House was home to several prominent Dundas families. The current owners have turned it into a restaurant, which was voted in 2010 by EnRoute Magazine as one of Canada’s Top Ten Best New Restaurants.

Redchurch Cafe + Gallery - Victoria Hall, 68 King St E, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 1A6
Victoria Hall is a commercial building overlooking Gore Park. Currently, Redchurch Cafe + Gallery provides a scenic downtown destination with great food and culture.

Relay Coffee Roasters - 27 King William St, Hamilton, Ontario L8R 1A1
The Relay Coffee Roasters on King William Street is a hip and casual café within a Victorian mixed-use building. 

Scott Barnim Pottery -  15 Park St E, Dundas, Ontario L9H 1C9
Throughout the years, this Georgian stone building has been owned by a succession of local Dundas families until it became a riding academy. It now houses one of Dundas's known potters.

Shawn & Ed Brewing Company - 65 Hatt St, Dundas, Ontario L9H 0C1
This historic building is in the heart of Dundas. It has served as a foundry, indoor skating/curling rink, bus depot, warehouse and, since 2016, the Shawn & Ed Brewing Company. *Digital Doors Open available.

St. Lawrence the Martyr Roman Catholic Church - 125 Picton Street East, Hamilton, Ontario L8L 0C5
St. Lawrence is a jewel in Hamilton’s north end. Join them as they celebrate their 133rd anniversary this year. Tea, coffee, juice and homemade sweets and snacks will be available.

St. Luke's Anglican Church - 454 John St N, Hamilton, Ontario L8L 4R4
While the parish closed in 2017, it reopened in 2019 and is currently stewarded by the Community of Common Prayer.

The Staircase Theatre - 27 Dundurn St N, Hamilton, Ontario L8R 3C9
The Staircase Theatre has been a multi-purpose arts incubator for decades, and is the site of the former Hamilton Hydro Dundurn substation.

The Gasworks -  141 Park St N #2N5, Hamilton, Ontario L8R 2N4
Now, thanks to the John and Ellie Voortman Charitable Foundation, The Gasworks is a vital community arts and education centre. Other tenants include RE-create, Chorus Hamilton, Sisters in Sync and Willowbridge Community Services.

The Village Bakery Dundas (Dundas Post Office) - 104 King St W, Dundas, Ontario L9H 0B4
Midway along the retail section of King Street West is the post office. Built in 1911, it remained the regional post office until the 1990s. Now, the Village Bakery, which occupies the site today with its breads, quiches and pies.

Whitehern Historic House and Garden - 41 Jackson St W, Hamilton, Ontario L8P 1L3
This mid-19th-century urban estate was built in 1848 with a 1930s addition. The home includes original family furnishings from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras. Now, it is a museum with beautiful gardens.

We hope you enjoy learning about Doors Open Ontario, and wish you a great excursion in Hamilton with your family. Stay tuned for our next feature on Doors Open Richmond Hill.